Giving from the Heart
One message that is central to Hans Urs von Balthasar’s writing is that love is giving of oneself and receiving from the other. God, in all three Persons of the Trinity, gives of Himself, both within the community of the Trinity and to us, His creation. He gives selflessly, not counting the cost to Himself, even to the point of laying down His life on the Cross, giving of Himself perpetually in the Eucharist, and abiding with us through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
Balthasar says, “Jesus’ gift of self becomes the model for our imitation” (Mysterium Paschale, 111). We are called, by God’s grace and in imitation of Him, to give of ourselves, both back to God and to our neighbor.
We are called to love God with our whole heart, being, strength, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves, often giving more than we feel capable of giving. We are called to give from this deep place, in a way that pulls us out of ourselves and causes a beautiful ache, and frequently even pain, yet a great joy when we reach out to others from our heart. 
Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan in today’s Gospel shows us not only who our neighbor is but also what it means to love our neighbor. 
The Samaritan was traveling down the road, undoubtedly journeying somewhere, when he saw a man on the side of the road, robbed, beaten, and near death. The Samaritan laid aside his plans and paused his journey in order to care for the injured man, generously pouring his own oil and wine over the man’s wounds and bandaging them, perhaps with a strip of cloth ripped from his clothing. He lifted him onto his animal and walked to an inn where he cared for the beaten man all night until he was stable then paid for his continued care, promising to return. The Samaritan gave generously, sacrificing his own plans and giving of his time and resources to help the beaten man. Undoubtedly his heart was aflame as he poured himself into caring for this man.
Love is a pouring forth of ourselves, a giving to God and our neighbor from the heart. When we imitate God by loving in this way, reaching out from deep within and giving selflessly, He transforms our hearts.
Loving this way is a challenge. I am often running into issues that make me want to pull back and limit my generosity. Frustrations, annoyances, and inconveniences regularly make me want to just get through the moment rather than thinking about someone else or looking to God. But pulling back in that way makes us close in on ourselves, whereas generously being there for God and others as our Lord does, and asks us to do, expands our heart to give and receive even greater love.
By Kimberly Andrich